SENATOR THE HON ANNE RUSTON
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR SPORT
SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
SENATOR THE HON BRIDGET MCKENZIE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LEADER OF THE NATIONALS IN THE SENATE
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
LABOR’S PET OLYMPICS PROJECTS DON’T STACK UP
The Queensland Government’s 60-day review into Olympic infrastructure planning has backed in what the Coalition has been saying for months – the Gabba redevelopment does not stack up.
This review has made clear the Albanese and Queensland Labor governments’ failure to properly investigate infrastructure options for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, as they instead allowed Anastasia Palaszczuk’s pet projects to forge ahead.
Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Anne Ruston called out the Albanese Government for failing to stand up for athletes’ interests and safeguard the legacy opportunities of the 2032 Olympics.
“The Coalition has been listening to the concerns of athletes, sporting bodies and local sporting organisations that there must be proper consultation on these important sporting infrastructure decisions, which should not be based on the political interests of state premiers.
“The outcome of this 60-day review should come as a clear warning sign to the Albanese Government. They must stand up to the Queensland Government’s pet projects which have not been designed in the best interests of Australian sports and legacy opportunity.
‘It is unacceptable that both governments have now wasted taxpayer funds and crucial time by failing to respond to the clear concerns over the Gabba project,” Senator Ruston said.
Last year’s Senate Inquiry Australia’s preparedness to host Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games, recommended the Albanese Government work with the Queensland Government to halt the Gabba rebuild while a viable business case and socioeconomic cost benefit analysis was done.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie said all the details of the Olympic infrastructure build should have been evaluated before the Albanese Government signed up to the $7 billion package.
“The estimated cost of the Gabba project has increased 25 percent, to $3.4 billion, including cost of displacement for AFL and cricket matches, in just 12 months,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The Brisbane Live Arena has almost doubled, now estimated to cost $4 billion – instead of $2.5billion and the project will cause rail closures in the heart of Brisbane for more than 2 years.
“While Labor wasted time and money on these unviable options, they delayed important transport infrastructure, such as costly delays to the Sunshine Coast rail project, which would have increased access for more Queenslanders to participate in the Games.”